Day 33: Off to The Sacred Valley! (Lima to Sacred Valley)

Today was an early morning starting at 530 to get ready for our flight to Cusco. We got ready, packed, and ate breakfast. Our shuttle picked us up to bring us to the airport. We were under the impression that we were staying in Cusco, but the travel lady informed us that we are actually staying in the sacred Valley. Good thing we asked!

Once we arrived in Cusco, another tour van met us to bring us to our hotel in The Sacred Valley. The Peruvian country side is absolutely stunning. It was beautiful with rich greens hills and mountains against a white backdrop of white clouds with a bright blue sky peaking through. We saw alpacas, donkeys, sheep, cows, dogs, chickens, and roosters along the way. Once we arrived at our hotel in The Sacred Valley, it was also beautiful. Coming towards the end of rainy season is perfect because all of the trees are green, the fields are full of crops, and the flowers are in full bloom. The hotel itself is an old monastery that is surrounded by the Andes.

By the time we checked in, it was well past lunch time and we were very hungry. The hotel had a buffet which was delicious with all types of food. In the afternoon, we went to a nearby ancient inca salt mine. Tucked away in the hills, there are hundreds of pools that are still used today to collect salt. A nearby hot spring feeds a small stream - which is warm! - that is then diverted into each pool. It was incredible to see, and unbelievable to think about all the work it took to not only dig the pools, but to also mine from them (which they still do today.)

Now, we're back at the hotel relaxing. Today is a festival carnival is Peru (and Brazil) so there are people in the streets everywhere. The hotel has live music starting soon, so we may go have a listen for happy hour.

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